Her Very Strict Captain by Carpenter, Maggie (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

he did. He was privy to a great deal more than I was, but he told me working for Conchello was like sinking in a black swamp and there was no way out.”

“I knew that man was a brute, but I didn’t realize just what a monster he is,” Scott remarked, a frown creasing his brow as he pulled back. “But enough about that. Tell me what you’ve been thinking about.”

“You were right, I should never have taken him into your house. I should have called you from where we were.”

“Which was?”

“A short way up the trail he’d found a plateau overlooking the ocean.”

“I know it, and yeah, you should have called me from there. Why didn’t you?”

“Showing up like he did totally freaked me out. Then hearing he’d been posing as Dan Miller—Scott, it was just unbelievable. Uh, can we lie down for a minute? I feel a bit shaky.”

“Of course,” he replied, kicking off his shoes.

As they stretched out on the comfortable bed, and he heard her let out a heavy sigh, it occurred to him Danny’s sudden reappearance in her life had affected her more than he’d thought.

“I took him into the house because he needed to talk to you,” she continued as she settled into the crook of his shoulder. “The information was so sensitive, I thought the only place he should tell you was in the security room. I realize now I wasn’t thinking straight, but that’s no excuse. I’m embarrassed, and I feel like an idiot for taking him in there.”

“It’s okay, I understand,” he murmured softly, relishing the feel of her body as she snuggled against him. “When something shocking happens it’s easy to react without thinking it through. By the way, Danny came to your defense.”

“How did he know you were upset about it?”

“He’s sharp enough to know you shouldn’t have taken him into that room,” Scott replied, then taking a breath, he lowered his voice. “Elizabeth, when this is over I’d like to hear about the two of you—but you don’t have to tell me if you’d rather not,” he added hastily, suddenly feeling oddly awkward.

“But I do want to tell you, and it’s not complicated. When we were in junior high we were in love—as much as kids can be—and seeing him again… I still love him, but not the way I love you, Scott,” she said softly, shifting in his arms to stare up at him.

There were calls to be made, and Pete would soon be back, but unable to stop himself, Scott fervently dropped his lips on hers.

Swept up in an unexpected wave of passion, he hurriedly tore off her T-shirt and bra, then quickly stripped and tossed their clothes on the floor. She mumbled his name, but cutting her off with another crushing kiss, he moved on top of her, spread her legs with his, and placed his cock at her entrance.

It hit him.

No condom.

Assuming we both survive…

“Scott? Is something wrong?”

“Everything is right. You’re right, and being with you like this is right,” he murmured, then taking a breath, he thrust his naked cock into her warm, moist channel.

Flesh against flesh.

Hot energy pulsed through his loins.

With every stroke, she moaned his name.

Though overcome with an urgent need to quicken his pace, he forced himself to pause, knowing if he didn’t, his climax would seize him too soon.

“Please don’t stop,” she whimpered. “You feel so amazing.”

Her bleating plea instantly shattered his resolve.

Slowly withdrawing and flipping her over, he grasped her hips, pulled her into his pelvis, then gazing at her reddened cheeks, he slid back inside her luscious passage. He began pumping with vigor, forcing himself to slow down when he felt the threat of his climax, but her moans of pleasure and writhing body made holding back almost impossible.

“Stay still,” he growled, landing a hot smack.

She gasped, but abruptly stopped moving.

Closing his eyes, he slowly moved in and out, savoring the salacious sensations as he gradually increased his pace. Knowing his release couldn’t be denied much longer, he thrust a hand beneath against her pussy and rubbed her clit. He’d barely begun when she arched her back and let out a wild cry.

“Please… may… I…?”

But her hot channel was already pulsing against his swollen member.

“Yeah…”

He’d managed to groan out the word seconds before erupting with a dizzying, spine-tingling, mind-numbing explosion…

* * *

Watching Scott slowly open his eyes, Elizabeth assumed he’d been stirred awake by the sound of a car rolling up the driveway.

“Welcome back, Captain Scott.”

“How long have I been dozing?” he asked, rubbing his hand across his face.

“Not long. Did you pass out?”

“I’m not sure, maybe for a second,” he replied, then rolled on his side and stared at her, his expression inscrutable.

“No condom,” she muttered. “It’s nice to know I’m irresistible.”

“Elizabeth, I—I need to take a quick shower and eat something, and I also have to bring you up to date.”

“Go ahead. I’ll get myself together and see what I can find in the kitchen.”

“Call the local pizza place. Pete has the number,” he said quickly. “Just order what you want and he’ll pick it up.”

“Pizza,” she repeated, “what a good idea.”

“I have them sometimes,” he quipped as he climbed off the bed and headed to the bathroom.

“Pizza or ideas?” she called after him.

“Both!”

As he closed the door behind him, she couldn’t shake the feeling he’d been about to tell her something important and changed his mind. Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, she quickly dressed, then made her way down the stairs, running her fingers through her disheveled hair.

Pete was in the kitchen drinking coffee when she entered. He knew the pizzeria, placed their order, then helped her set the table before leaving to pick it up. Finding a six-pack of Corona beer in the refrigerator, she pulled out three to open when Scott walked in.

“You look better,” she declared. “Do you want a beer?”

“Better than what?”

“Than when I left you bleary-eyed and out of it.”

“Elizabeth, I’m never out